Utah has become the first state to institute a mandatory four-day work week for state employees, according to a USA Today article.
“Most states have a four-day work week option for their employees, but Utah is the first to go to a mandatory four-day work week,” said Leslie Scott, executive director of the National Association of State Personnel Directors. “A good number of the states are encouraging their agencies and managers to offer a four-day work week whenever possible.”
The move is designed to save money and energy, and I suspect it will boost morale and possibly productivity. I know plenty of people who work in the private sector who long for this option!
Rising gas prices are making the four-day idea much more attractive across the board. Last week we asked Yahoo! HotJobs site visitors to weigh in on the issue, and here are the overwhelming results.
| Q | Do you think you would be more productive if you had a four-day work week (40 hours)? |
| Yes |  87% |
| No | 13% |
| 18625 Votes to date |
